Latest news with #DavidLow
The Herald Scotland
28-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Can this landmark pub remain unique in a world of chains?
It's called the Star Bar because its location points to five of Glasgow's most storied southern highways: Cathcart Road, Victoria Road, Eglinton Street, Maxwell Road, and Pollokshaws Road. It's the unofficial gateway to Govanhill, Queen's Park and Shawlands with Maxwell Park and Pollokshields just off to the right as you look south. The distinctive Star Bar building. (Image: Colin Mearns) It rarely changes hands and when it does, each new custodian chooses wisely to remain faithful to its glorious décor, an unrepentant monument to 1960s Formica cheeriness with a black and white tiled floor, red leather upholstered seats and hammered bronzed table tops sitting beneath wood-panelled walls. On crossing its threshold yesterday, you're transported back to the pubs your dad and uncles once frequented and where occasionally you'd be taken as a youth to learn how to conduct yourself in west of Scotland male company: you'll have a coke; you'll say nothing until you're asked and you'll listen and observe closely. The only haute aesthetic are the haute pies; the haute soup and the deftly-imported haute goods of uncertain provenance. It's the home of the legendary '£4 lunch' – now edging towards £5 – consisting of three courses and featuring a robust bill of fayre that includes those pies, macaroni cheese and roast beef. For a modest premium you can have something a little more exotic such as the breaded fish and the Ashet pie. There was always a white notice on the wall outside – in the shape of a jaunty white guitar – telling you that the kenspeckle and lately departed Glasgow musician, Ken Manners, was the house entertainment. Read more Kevin McKenna: Today, I'm with its new owner David Low and his brother Kenny, who'll manage the day-to-day running. They're native south siders and I too once spent several happy years not far from here, up the road in Govanhill. We're mourning the loss of Paddy Neeson's, anther legendary tavern which was reputed to serve the best pint of Guinness in the city, but which has now become an insipid style bar selling artisan tomfoolery. 'I hope you're not thinking about doing anything similar,' I tell them. 'No chance,' says David. Owner David Low. (Image: Colin Mearns) Today, I'm on the mince and tatties with the mint peas and he's with the breaded fish. A bowl of rice pudding with a wee steeple of tinned fruit on the top sashays by. 'Apart from a lick of paint here and there, I'm changing absolutely nothing,' he says. 'Why would you? Money can't replace what's already here. This is already a busy pub, no matter what day of the week. I'd like to build a wee stage area and bring back a house band. I'd like to restore the darts team too. 'I'm very much into community pubs and I'm planning on acquiring several more. I feel as though I'm rendering a service to the community.' Pubs like the Star Bar reside in the folk memory of generations of Glaswegians. Memories of grand social occasions and family events here get handed on. They are in the DNA of their local communities. Older men from working class communities are prone to social isolation and the loneliness that comes from the erosion of masculinity and the sense that their language and their lifestyles – no matter how innately decent they might be – are no longer permitted in polite society. They come in here for the company, the conversation and the comfort that comes from knowing they're not being judged. These places maintain social cohesion by keeping it real, honest and affordable. 'All the customers are on first name terms,' says Kenny Low, 'and that's not a cliché. They've been coming here form many years and they look out for each other.' 'It's a really eclectic mix,' says David, 'rich man, poor, man, old woman; young woman. This area of Glasgow is becoming a destination for the hipster generation, attracted by those big apartments which are more affordable than in the west end and smart cafes selling coffee at prices that won't choke a horse.' Outside, there's also something unique in Glasgow: a busy cycle lane. 'Community pubs is a seam I want to mine,' says David. 'It's those places where people talk to each other and no-one remains a stranger for long. I've always liked this pub and other pubs of its kind.' He speaks with affection about The Tower Bar on the north side of the city which he once owned. Read more: So, what qualifies as a community pub, I ask. 'It's a place where you can spend some time and have a drink and food at a reasonable price,' says Kenny. 'It's a place that really belongs to the customers and their families, often stretching back generations.' Neither of them want to appear patronising when discussing this. So, I'll say what they won't: by keeping the food at such low prices, this place can be a lifeline for some people facing profound social challenges. And by serving it in an attractive lounge area with knowledgeable staff, there's a patina of dignity and decorum and respect. Could more pubs offer affordable lunches to help address food poverty? Could it be something that the government might encourage and support as a sustainable business model: achieving a balance between proportionate profits and assisting the community? David Low is cautious: 'It's a difficult challenge to satisfy the interests of the council with those of the business owner and the customer as they're all trying to get as big a slice of the money pie as possible. I don't think it works in the city centre as too much goes on rent and rates. We're proving though, that it can work in outlying communities where costs are lower.' Behind the bar, May Di Mascio is telling me that the camera makes her nervous. If so, the she's hiding it well. She's been working at the Star Bar for 14 years, while her colleague, Andrea Purdie, has devoted most of her working to this pub. If they didn't exist then you'd have to invent them. They both set the tone of this establishment: warm, welcoming but taking no nonsense. May tells me about the older couple who come here in full cowboy gear prior to a show at Govan's Grand Ole Opry. 'Sometimes, when it's going like a fayre in here, they don't make it to the Opry and can be found swinging their lassos in here instead. This isn't unusual. People come in here en-route to concerts and events but get caught up in the atmosphere in here and don't actually make it to the gig. She tells me that it took a few weeks to get acclimatised to the robust language and boisterous interactions of the customers. This is a city, after all, where the citizenry have taken the darkest profanities and re-imagined them with a measure of virtue and purity. Thus you can be a good c**t or a decent c**t or a clever c**t. 'Now when I suggest that they might have had enough and to get up the road, they don't need to be asked twice,' she says. When a customer dies, the hearse will pass here and the bar will empty on to the street with their drinks and wave them on their way, as they did with her beloved sister-in-law, Giovanna, a few weeks ago. Friends Andy O'Donnell, 73, and George Robertson, 56, in the lounge bar. (Image: Colin Mearns) Andy and George are at the Star Bar most days. 'Once you've had a meal in here,' says Andy, 'you're set up for the day.' They've seen all the other pubs disappear that once thronged this neighbourhood disappear one by one. 'The Star Bar is still here because it has always kept that community spirit and never altered its character,' says George. They both exhort me to 'take it easy', which you can't really fail to do when you've spent some time here with May and Kenny and Andrea, fortified by a £5 lunch and the Glasgow cowboys and a line of chat that takes no prisoners but leaves the heart and soul intact.
Scottish Sun
26-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
UK's cheapest pub famous for £4 three-course lunches SOLD in shock move
The new boss has already broken his silence on what he thinks of the cheap lunchtime deal 'LOVE THIS PLACE' UK's cheapest pub famous for £4 three-course lunches SOLD in shock move THE CHEAPEST pub in the UK, famous for its £4 three-course lunches, has been sold to new owners in a shock move. The Star Bar, where patrons get a free starter and dessert with each main, is located on Eglinton Street in Glasgow. Advertisement 2 The Star Bar has been bought over by new owners Credit: GOOGLE MAPS The beloved boozer has been serving the iconic three courses since the 1960s, giving patrons a cheap and filling meal for a knock-down price. The eatery's basic but much-loved menu includes Scotch broth, fish and chips, macaroni and cheese, meat and potatoes, creamed rice and ice cream. It has been serving bargain eats between 12pm and 2.30pm for more than 50 years. Locals and visitors alike have long flocked to the pub on the ground floor of a tenement which was built in 1892. Advertisement The traditional pub on the south side is one of the busiest in the city, with many considering it to be of legendary status. And it has now been bought over by new owners, according to The Herald. Customers can be rest assured that I have no plans to change its distinctive character – or its famous lunch offer David Low The boozer has been purchased by David Low, a businessman from Glasgow who helped Fergus McCann take over Celtic in 1994. But he has promised punters that he has "no plans" to change to pub's character or the famous lunch offer. Advertisement Mr Low said: "I've always had a keen interest in Glasgow's iconic bars, of which The Star Bar is a fine example, and there will be more to follow. "Customers can be rest assured that I have no plans to change its distinctive character – or its famous lunch offer.' Rangers-daft pub goes up for sale in Scots town It comes after the businessman sold The Arlington Bar in the west end of Glasgow in October last year. Customers have flocked to social media after hearing the news about the sale. Advertisement One person said: "Aw, hope it stays the same... love this place". Another added: "Great pub, good food and cheap beer compared to the city centre". Someone else wrote: "Beautiful old-fashioned friendly old place that has character about it, if they change it, it will never be the same". Advertisement While a fourth posted: "I just love The Star Bar". And a fifth chimed in: "Been a long time but a fabulous old boozer". The quirky diner has an impressive 4.5 stars out of five on Tripadvisor, with one glowing review branding it 'an excellent wee place'. Another reviewer wrote: 'Been on our 'tick list' for MANY years! Advertisement 'Finally got there! Lovely staff - very friendly. Great service! 'Soup like your granny made - macaroni with 'hot peas!' Then rice pudding with 'tinned' fruit. Loved it! 'Hubby had the pie which he said was spot on! Three courses - £4.00! You've got to go try it!' 2 The beloved boozer has been serving customers since the 1960s Credit: Alamy
Glasgow Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow pub famous for its £4 three-course lunch sold
Occupying the ground floor of a tenement built in 1892, The Star Bar on Eglinton Street has long assumed legendary status as a traditional Glasgow pub. Best known for serving up the cheapest three-course lunch in the city, the pub's lunch menu offers a hearty meal with options that include soup, followed by fish and chips and creamed rice with fruit to finish. One of the busiest lunchtime venues in the city, a recent video review of its cheap lunch menu has amassed over 695,000 views on YouTube. The pub has been purchased by Glasgow businessman David Low, who helped broker the takeover of Celtic FC by Fergus McCann in 1994. Mr Low's purchase of The Star Bar follows his sale of The Arlington in Glasgow's West End last October. Speaking about the purchase, Mr Low said: 'I've always had a keen interest in Glasgow's iconic bars, of which The Star Bar is a fine example and there will be more to follow. "Customers can be rest assured that I have no plans to change its distinctive character – or its famous lunch offer.'
The Herald Scotland
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Glasgow pub famous for its £4 three-course lunch sold
Best known for serving up the cheapest three-course lunch in the city, the pub's lunch menu offers a hearty meal with options that include soup, followed by fish and chips and creamed rice with fruit to finish. One of the busiest lunchtime venues in the city, a video review of its cheap lunch menu has amassed over 695,000 views on YouTube. READ MORE: Now The Herald can reveal that the pub has been purchased by Glasgow businessman David Low, who helped broker the takeover of Celtic FC by Fergus McCann in 1994. Mr Low's purchase of The Star Bar follows his sale of The Arlington in Glasgow's West End last October. Speaking about the purchase, Mr Low said: 'I've always had a keen interest in Glasgow's iconic bars, of which The Star Bar is a fine example and there will be more to follow. "Customers can be rest assured that I have no plans to change its distinctive character – or its famous lunch offer.'
The Courier
28-04-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
1985 Dundee Marathon runners battled the course & the elements
These images document the agony and ecstasy when thousands hit the streets for the 1985 Dundee Marathon. More than 30 runners suffered hypothermia when winter returned with a vengeance. Driving snow fell for six hours. The Courier said the 2,215 'soaked' and 'freezing' runners overcame the 'most atrocious conditions in the three-year history of the event'. The City of Dundee People's Health Marathon became an annual fixture from 1983. And 1985 was the most dramatic race. Entry forms came out in September 1984. Completing the form and parting with the £5 entry fee was the easy bit. The Dundee Runner in Logie Street stocked the souvenir marathon t-shirt. Many of the marathoners ran in running shoes which were purchased from David Low in Commercial Street and Sports Locker in the Overgate. There would be a change on the podium. Don Macgregor, the 1983 and 1984 winner, decided not to run in 1985. Charlie Haskett from Dundee Hawkhill Harriers was the favourite after finishing second to 1972 Olympic Games runner Macgregor in 1983 and 1984. The Courier said Murray McNaught from Dundee and Don Ritchie from Lossiemouth 'should also be up among the leaders'. The Black Watch pipe band performed before the start of the marathon. A record number of runners took part. There were 1,994 men and 221 women at the start line. Each had a different reason for running. Most were running for sponsorship. More than £400,000 was raised for good causes in 1985. One of the main beneficiaries was the Tayside body scanner appeal. The 26-mile course started at 10am from Dundee High Street. There were 12 medical points and eight sponge stations around the course. The Courier said: 'Snow began falling heavily only an hour into the race, causing untold misery for the majority of competitors and creating the major medical problem of the day, with four runners requiring hospital treatment. 'Over 30 people were treated for hypothermia, but, to the relief of everyone, they all responded to the treatment of the course medical staff and not one had to be sent to hospital for this reason.' Three people were taken to Ninewells Hospital suffering from exhaustion. They were allowed away after treatment. One man was taken to the Royal Infirmary with an Achilles tendon injury. The runners rose heroically to the even greater challenge and many came home in astonishingly fast times, smashing previous personal bests. The unseasonal weather did not affect the determination to finish. Only 65 dropped out of the race. That was around the same number as failed to finish in 1984. The Courier said the severe weather 'spoiled for the spectators what has come to be regarded as a great family day out'. The numbers turning out to cheer the runners was down because of the snow. They were still impressive. More than 12,000 lined the route to add encouragement. Broughty Ferry and Lochee were the most popular vantage points. Hero of the day was Dundonian Murray McNaught. He came through the tape in two hours, 20 minutes and 25 seconds. It was his 13th marathon and his first win. The 36-year-old was running for Fife Athletic Club. Charlie Haskett and Craig Ross from Dundee Hawkhill Harriers made him work for his victory and both took turns to try to make the break at various stages. The Courier said: 'Ross made the first move, obviously deciding that his only chance of beating last year's second and third-placed men, Haskett and McNaught, respectively, was to get away from them early on. 'His spurt came around the 12-mile mark. 'Slowly but surely, however, Haskett and McNaught got closer and a couple of miles later it was clear that Ross was not going to be able to hang on. 'Haskett then started to pull away, but McNaught clung on like a terrier, keeping Haskett in his sights and looking for his chance. 'By the time they crossed Kingsway at Clepington Road, McNaught was level and it was in Strathmore Avenue that Haskett met his Waterloo.' McNaught started to pull away and never looked back. Haskett fell back to fourth place behind Ross and Dougie Hunter from Edinburgh. Hawkhill Harriers managed to take the team title. The first woman home was 31-year-old Ann Curtis from Edinburgh. She crossed the finishing line in two hours and 48 minutes to claim a first title. 'I knocked a full five minutes off my personal best time,' she said. 'Up until 10 miles I felt great. 'Then the snow started and I started to get cold. 'I forgot all that once I got to the 20-mile mark and knew I could break two hours 50.' Tricia Calder was the second woman to cross the finishing line. Dundonian Jill Danskin was third. Dundee District councillor Jenny Wood was the oldest competitor. She was competing for a third time at the age of 73 and took 30 minutes off her previous best by finishing in four hours, 21 minutes and 35 seconds. She went on to complete more than 50 marathons and earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest female finisher, aged 90, in London in 2002. The race was also notable for its novelty performers. Dundee University medical students Alistair Nicol and John Mann completed the marathon three-legged for Action Research for Multiple Sclerosis. They clocked a time of four hours and six minutes. Alistair and John raised £200. Dundee College lecturer Ian Ball was dressed in a gorilla costume. Another favourite with the crowd was Phil Barker. The Newport runner was dressed as 'Auld Nick' with red horns and trident. The Courier delivered the final word on a Dundee marathon like no other. 'Praise has to be heaped on the legions of 'fun' and not-too serious runners who battled round the course, many of them struggling on through driving snow for over six hours to complete the distance, even although it was outside the time limit,' it read. 'The crowds had gone home by the time they reached City Square, soaked, freezing but jubilant. 'They broke no records but their courage and determination was equal to that of the most successful athletes who sprinted to the finish. 'Once again, even taking account of the unexpected and incessant snow, the Dundee Marathon proved an unqualified success and has prompted many on the side-lines to take up the challenge for next year.' The Dundee Marathon became an annual and colourful fixture until 1991.
